Belt clip

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for holding an end of a belt in place. The apparatus comprises a clip member having a predetermined shape and formed of a first predetermined material for engagement with a user&#39;s belt. There is a covering member for covering an exterior surface of the clip member. Such covering member being formed of a second predetermined material.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is closely related to and claims benefit from U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/148,159 filed Jan. 29, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to a user's belt, and, moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a belt clip that can beattached to a belt for keeping the end of a belt in place.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

BACKGROUND

Belts normally include an inadequate and sometimes stapled end belt loopthat may easily break. Some belts do not include a belt end fasteningloop at all. This result in the belt moving as the wearer is in motion,which can become aggravating. For some, excess belt hanging freely maybe a safety hazard depending on their profession and hobbies. Also, someindividuals may yearn for a simple way to decorate a belt without havingto permanently alter its look. Some people may also want a simple way toshow a touch of their personality without becoming boisterous. Having adevice, such as the present invention, can securely hold the end of thebelt while also being fashionable may fit the needs of many consumers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the present invention provides an apparatus forholding an end of a belt in place. The apparatus comprises a clip memberhaving a predetermined shape and formed of a first predeterminedmaterial for engagement with a user's belt. There is a covering memberfor covering an exterior surface of the clip member. Such coveringmember being formed of a second predetermined material.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention toprovide an apparatus for securing the end of a belt.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus forsecuring the end of a belt that is simple and fashionable.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatusfor securing the end of a belt wherein the user can decorate his/herbelt without permanently altering its look.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the invention whichhave been described in some specific detail above it should be notedthat various other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in therelevant art from the following more detailed description, particularlywhen such description is taken in conjunction with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of the apparatus as used on aperson's belt to hold the end of the belt.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus showing the clip and the coveringaccording to an embodiment of he invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus according to an alternateembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the apparatus showing a decorative member.

FIG. 5 is a back view of the apparatus showing the curved projection onthe short side of the J-shaped member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Prior to proceeding with the more detailed description of the presentinvention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, identicalcomponents which have identical functions have been designated byidentical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated inthe drawings.

In a first aspect the present invention provides an apparatus, generallydesignated 10, for holding an end of a person's belt in place as seen inFIG. 1. The apparatus 10 comprises a clip member 2 having apredetermined shape and formed of a first predetermined material forengagement with a user's belt 4. There is a covering member 6 forcovering the exterior surface of the clip member 2. Such covering member6 being formed of a second predetermined material. This embodiment isshown in FIG. 2. In this embodiment the clip member 2 is used to holdthe end of the belt 4 in place.

Such first predetermined material is selected from one of plastic andmetal. It is presently preferred that such metal is stainless steel. Thepredetermined shape of the clip member 2 is substantially an invertedthin J-shape for clipping on to such user's belt 4. Such predeterminedshape further includes a curved projection 16 extending outwardly on theshorter leg of the inverted J-shape for ease of placing the apparatus 10over such user's belt. The clip member 2 is relatively thin so as to bean annoyance to the user.

Such second predetermined material is selected from one of leather,plastic and rubber. It is presently preferred that such predeterminedmaterial is leather.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention as seen in FIG. 3, theapparatus 10 further includes an enclosed loop member 8 disposed in anouter portion of such clip member 2 for holding such end of such belt 4in place. Thus in this embodiment the end of the belt 4 is slid throughthe enclosed loop member to hold the end of the belt in place.

Such predetermined shape of he apparatus further includes a decorativemember disposed on an outer portion of the covering member 6. Suchdecorative member may be a distinctive logo, sports design, professionalor college team logos, hunting or fishing designs or any ornamentalmember as seen as a skull in FIG. 4. Such covering and decorativemembers may be designed with different colors and also may have designsto match assorted outfits or different holidays to accommodate userpreferences.

Such apparatus is between about ¾ inch and about 1¾ inch in width andbetween about 1½ and about 2½ inches in height. It is presentlypreferred that such apparatus is approximately 1¼ inch in width andapproximately 1¾ inch high.

The clip member 2 further includes an inner lock clip 14 disposed on aninside portion of the clip member 2 and projecting inwardly so as tohold such belt firmly in place. The lock clip 14 would only be used inthe embodiment that does not have the enclosed loop 8.

While a presently preferred embodiment and alternate embodiments of thepresent invention have been described in detail above, it should beunderstood that various other adaptations and/or modifications of theinvention can be made by those persons who are particularly skilled inthe art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or thescope of the appended claims.

1. An apparatus for holding an end of a belt in place, said apparatuscomprising: (a) a clip member having a predetermined shape and formed ofa first predetermined material for engagement with a user's belt; and(b) a covering member for covering an exterior surface of said clipmember, said covering member being formed of a second predeterminedmaterial.
 2. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatusfurther includes an enclosed loop member disposed in an outer portion ofsaid clip member for holding such end of such belt in place.
 3. Theapparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said first predeterminedmaterial is selected from one of plastic and metal.
 4. The apparatus,according to claim 3, wherein said metal is stainless steel.
 5. Theapparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined shape issubstantially an inverted J-shape for clipping on to such user's belt.6. The apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein said predetermined shapefurther includes a curved projection on a shorter leg of said invertedJ-shape for ease of placing said apparatus over such user's belt.
 7. Theapparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said second predeterminedmaterial is selected from one of leather, plastic and rubber.
 8. Theapparatus, according to claim 7, wherein said second predeterminedmaterial is leather.
 9. The apparatus, according to claim 1, whereinsaid predetermined shape further includes a decorative member disposedon an outer portion of said covering member.
 10. The apparatus,according to claim 9, wherein said decorative member includes at leastone of professional or college team logos, sports designs, hunting andfishing designs and other distinctive designs.
 11. The apparatus,according to claim 1, wherein said clip member further includes an innerlock clip disposed on an inside portion of said clip member to hold suchbelt firmly in place.